Cast Steel Bullnose Compass Plane

If you need a special-purpose plane for a special-purpose job one option is to look around and see just what is available out there that you can buy. If you can’t find something suitable, or if what you find is too expensive for your toolbox, then maybe your next option is to make it yourself.

Which is exactly what the maker of this cast steel bullnose infill plane has done. Measuring around 3-7/8″ long and 1-1/8″ wide, with a cutting iron by Sorby, this is a nicely made little bullnose. Even by looking at the photographs it is easy to see that the arc of the compassed sole is even and has been well executed.

Some of the manufacturers of old, primarily Stewart Spiers, would make infill planes “to any pattern desired”, though these planes would cost even more than the stock standard planes offered. As infill planes were already an expensive commodity for most cabinetmakers to own, the only other option was to knock some plates together (as in dovetailing) or find someone who was willing to cast up a raw body for the maker to clean up, infill and finish. The second method of construction is the one chosen here.

While this infill plane is well made, there are no refinements to the steel body as such. No stopped chamfering to speak of, for instance. The Brazilian rosewood wedge, however, does show some signs of a decorative flair in the way that the toe of the wedge has been shaped (in part to help “curl out” the shavings).

Most user-mades have problems with attaining a fine mouth — especially those planes in which the cutting iron is placed with the bevel up. Not so with this particular bullnose plane. The iron has been fitted well and the wedge is tight.

A well crafted and uncommon little infill plane in very good condition.

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